Multiplex-writing machine.



F. E. CROMPTON.

MULTIPLEX WRITING MACHINE. AiPLlCATION FILED JUNE 21. 1916.

Patented June 26, 1917.

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M ULTIPLEX WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21, l9l6- PatentedJune 26, 1917.

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F. E. CROMPTQN.

' MULTIPLEX WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21. 1915.

Patented June 26,1917. 7

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- 1ml II awvewfoz F. E. GROMP TON, MULTIPLEX. WRITINGMACHINE.

APPLI CATION FILED JUNE 21, I9I6.

Patented June 26, 1917.

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FRANK E. CROMPTO OEBROOKLYN, NEW YORK, AssIGNOR T sIeNATURE ooMrA Y,

Y., A CORPORATION on NEW YORK.

OF NEW YORK, N.

MULTIPLEX-WRI'IING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. (JROMPTON,

a citizen of the United States, residing. at

Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York; have invented certainnewand useful Improvements in Multiplex-Writing Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification. J

This invention relates to multiplex writing machines of the same generalcharacter as that forming the subject matter of prior Patents No.880,950, dated March 3rd, 1908 and No. 1,008,099, dated November 7th,1911. Machines of this type embody a suitable writing plate or tabletogether with a carriage for carrying a plurality of writing membersprovided with a common monitor handle by means of which said writingmembers are simultaneously moved.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improvedconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts in a machine of thischaracter which will widen its field of usefulness, increase thefacility with which the machine can be operated, and in general renderthe action thereof more efficient. One of the objects ofthe invention isto provide an improved construction according to which series or groupsof documents from either side of the machine; Another object is toprovide improved means for confining the documents in near relation tothe writing plate or table as they are fed into and out of position tobe written upon, said confining means, being reversible. Other means areprovided for gradually straightening out any papers which do not lieflat as they are fed'into the machine.

Another object is .to provide improved means for removing the documentholders from the endless conveyer. Another object which relates moreespecially to large sized machines, is to provide improved conveyerSpecification of Letters Patent.

may be fed into position to be written upon' extensions 4 and 5.

operating mechanism. Another object is to' appear in the specification-Patented June 26,1917.

Application filed June 2 1916. 4 Serial No. 104,929.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of my inventionshown on'the drawings;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail, partly in side elevation and partly insection;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a slacktake-up pulley with its supportingbar or bracket;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a detail; Fig. 6 is a side elevation-of thedocument confining means;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the detachable crank and one of thedocument-holder kick-off levers at the discharge end of the machineaccording to Fig. 1 and at the side farthest from the operators table32; v

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 9 is a, front elevation of one ofthe document kick-01f units, itbeing a view at right angles to Fig. 10 with sprockets 13 and 25,-an d aportion of shaft 11 removed;

. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 with the parts shown in differentpositions.

In the embodiment of my invention shown on the drawings, suitable meansincluding the pedestals l, are provided for mounting the frame or bedplate 2 of the multiplex writing machine, saidmachine including awriting plate or table 3, (see Fig. 1) and Said extensions 4 and 5 arearrangedwith their upper'surfaces in a plane. common to the uppersurface of the table-3 so that either of' writing plate or saidextensions 4 and 5 may serve as the document-receiving table while thestacking board 74 (to be hereinafter referred to) may be mountedadjacent the other of said extensions. In this way the machine may becompletely adapted within a few minutes to feed documents therethroughin either direction. A pen carriage comprising tubular bars 6 andtransverse thereto, a plurality of bars 7 which carry the writingmembers 8, suitable means for controlling the operation of the writingmembers 8', include a monitor handle 9. The pen carriage is sup.- portedby anti-friction bearings to permit an easy universal movement under thedirection of the monitor 9. 'Journaled in the outer ends of theextensions 4 and 5, are sprocket shafts 10 and 11, which carry 7 pin 39which-adapts said to I the outer keyed a crank 12 and 13. In the spacedsprocket wheels of the writing machine, and

front and rear below the'writing plate or table, is a grooved of thesebars 17 is pivoted on a pin 18, carried by a rail 19, which constitutesa portion of the rigid framework for supporting the machine. The otherend of the bar 17 carries a clamping screw 19 which moves in a slot 20for adjusting the position of the pulley '14. -Running on the sprockets12 and 13 and around the slack take-up pulley 14, is a chain 21 saidchain being provided at regularly spaced intervals with outwardlyprojectingjpb'stbr projections 22, with en larged heads 23, whichareadapted to interengage with the document holders 24. As shown in Fig.3, the upper runs of the chain 21, run in slots extending through theplate or table 3 and extensions 4 and 5. Suitable meansfor deliy eringpower to the conveyer comprisingfil e" parts just described, areprovided by a? sprocket 25 keyed I end of the shaft 11, said sprocket 25being adapted to coiiperate with a chain 26 which also passes about asprocket 27 keyed to a shaft 28upon which is. also vdle 30.- A guard 31serves to protect the hand of the operator during USE-"It will be notedfrom an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2, that the handle 30 is disposedadjacent to the arm support or rest 32'so that while the right handmanipulates the monitor 9, the left hand may operate the handle 30. Ac:cording to the embodiment of my invention shown on the drawings, theshaft'lO carries at one end a slots in said disk aseshown. best in Fig.7, comprising an inner part-circular recess 34, having a contractedouter opening35. A crank arm 36 is provided with an open ended slot 37which slides over the neck formed in the outer end of the shaft. 10.Threaded into thecrank arm 36 is a clamping screw 37 which carries anenlargement 38'. provided with an outwardly projecting screw to betightened or loosened so that after the crank arm 36 has been adjustedto any desired one of the slots in the disk 33, it may be secured inplace until it again becomes necessary to alter its position. A similarslotted disk 33 may be keyed to either end of the shaft 11, the crankarm 36 being transferable thereto when desired. From this description,it will be understood that when the conveyer is moved in eitherdirection by the. operation a of cranks 29 or 36, the adjustable pulleys14 serve to maintain the necessary degree of tension which permits thesprocket drive in either direction. As shownin Figs. 7, 8, 9,

.keyed to the shaft 11.

:52 which has a recess end, said recess being normally adapted to a stud54 which is cararm 29, provided with a hanslotted .disk 33, each of the'ties which 10 and 11, a rigid portion ofthe base frame or bed plateincludes the side bars 41 within which the shafts 10 and 11 arejournaled,

said side bars being provided with down-' best in Figs. 7 and 9, each ofthese kick of'f levers comprises a substantially vertical provided atits upper end with a hook 46 which normally lies below the path of thedocument holding clamps which serve to convey the documents in series orgroups into position to be written upon. At either end of the machine,each rock shaft is operated by the following mechanism. A pin 47 carriedby the base frame or bed plate serves to journal a cam lever 48 atoneend.

Said cam lever carries a cam roller 49 which is periodically depressedby the cam 50, Pivotally connected to cam lever 48 is a link 53 adjacentto its lower the outer end of the receive the neck of ried by the outerend of an arm 55 which is keyedon the rock shaft, 43. Cam lever 48 isacted upon by a spring 56 which tends to hold the roller 49 inengagement with the portion and a'horizontally deflected portion cam 50.At the same time, the link 52 is' acted upon by a spring 57 which tends.to retain the link 52 in engagement with said stud 54. On the otherhand, when the kickas arm or lever 44 is not to be used, it is thrown:into the position shown in Fig. 11 in which a pin 58 carried by the hubportion of said arm or lever44 is engaged by recess 53. It will appearfrom this description that the kick-off levers 44 on the side of themachine toward which the documents are-being fed, may be thrown aroundinto reverse positions shown in Fig. 11, where they are locked by thelinks 52 acting in th'ecapaeity of latches, the outer end of each leverarm 55 being in abutment with a shoulder 59. Referring now to Figs. 1and 6, oppositely disposed rods 60 are brackets 61 and carry a pluralityof document holding clamps or strips 62, being oppositely arranged inseries and provided with enlargements 63 at their extremioverlap oneabove the termediately of the rock bars j ournaled in said stripsenlargements 63, said holders are provided with downwardly projectingshoulders 64:. documents'f it will beat under the" which normally restupon said From an. inspection of Fig. 6, seen that if the documents arefed bars 62, they will be gradually wedged under yleldable pressure asthey pass into position to be written upon by the'writing members.

When documents enter from the right, the right hand bars 62 are disposedwith their enlargements 63 under the enlargements of theleft hand bars.Also whensaid documents are fed in from the left, the left %and barswill be disposed beneath the right and bars. As shown best in Figs. 2and 5, a deflector plate 65 carried by a plurality of brackets 66, maybe mounted on either of the rods 60, said deflector plates serving togradually depress the documents as they pass onto the writing plateor'table in the event that such documents offer a tendency to curl orcrumble. the rods 60 are rounded for a considerable portion of theirlengths adjacent the brackets 61 to adapt them to be adjusted laterally,

so that the positlons of the clamping bars 62 may be regulated to suitthe intervals on the documents to which the signatures are to beapplied. -As shown in Fig. 5, set screws 67 may be applied to hold saidrods in any position to'which they may be adjusted. Referring now to-Fig. 2,'the uprights 1 carry spaced brackets 68. Oppositely disposedrods 69 provided with slots. 70 are adjustably mounted on studs 71carried by brackets 68, said slots 7O adapting the rods 69 to be shiftedendwise after being raised slightly above the horizontal, to move hooks7 2 into engagement with lugs 7 3, 'said rods 69 then occupying theposition shown is provided with strips or sockets 7 5 which slidablyreceive the rods 69. As shown in Fig. 2, the stacking board/M isarrangedbelow the strips or bars 76 whichpro ect from the edge of thetable extension 5. Stacking board 74 is provided with'a plurality ofstrips or sockets 77 with inwardly projecting-springs 78 which impingeupon strips 79 which extend outwardly and are .provided with upwardlydeflected ends 80.

As shown best in Flg. 1, each of the strips I 7 9 is provided with anangle iron or' strip 81 which is pivotally connected at 82 to the strip7 9 and is retained either at one side or the other of the strip 7 9 bymeans of a-link 83 which is pivoted at 84 and releasably engages theangle iron 81 at'85. It will be.

seen that the angle iron 81 andthe deflected extremity 80- of each strip79, constitute pile gages for the documents.

In preparing documents for signature, according to the presentembodiment of my invention, binder strips or bars are provided forholding the documents to be signed or inscribed in regular order as theyare passed through the machine. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, these binders24 are engagedby the studs or pins 23 carried by the endlesschainconveyers 21. These conveyers may be As shown in Fig. 1,

driven from the crank 36 by the assistant who is feeding the documentsto the machine, or said crank 36 may be removed from the feeding in endof the machine as shown in Fig. 1 and applied to the sprocket shaft 11at the delivery end to be turned by the assistant who is takingthesigned documents from the machine, or ifit becomes necessary for asingle person to perform all of these operations, the operator may drivethe machine with his left hand by means of the crank 29 and handle 30-while the documents may be signed by his right hand. As the documentspass into the machine, they pass under the inclined plate 65, beingthusconfined to a narrow compass as they pass under the retaining bar 62.The parts having been properly set to bring the signature spaces of thedifferent documents under the respective signing members 8, the saidmovement is interrupted long enough for a signature to be made. As thedocuments pass over the extension 5, and out onto the overhanging rods76, they are readily grasped by an attendant and stacked against thegages 80 and 81, after which said documents are removed in a pile andthe binder strips or clamping bars removed. therefrom. As shown in Fig.2, the stack fcome in the present machlne, so that it becomes possibleto reverse the movementof the conveyer by merely reversing the directionof revolution'of any one of the cranks or handles. According to thearrangement of the parts shown in Figs. 1, and 2, the

documents are arranged on the right end for feeding in and kicked out atthe left end.

In order to feed in from the left end and kick out from the right end,as is found to be desirable under certain conditions, the 'rods 69 atthe right end are raised. The

stacking board 74 with it's'attachments, is then mounted on the rods 69at the right end while the rods 69 at the left end are lowered out ofthe way. The kick-off arms or levers 44 on the right end are thenreleased and moved into operating position while the kick-off arms orlevers on the left end are secured in inoperativeposition.

I claim:

- '1. In a machine of the character de-' scribed, a document-supporting.table, a plurality of writing members'arranged to simultaneously writeupon documents respectively disposed beneath said members, and g meansmovable in either of two opposite directions and adapted to conveydocuments prearranged 1n groups, the arrangement of documents ineachgroup corresponding to 'and from said plate or table on to the otherof said extensions, said conveying means being adapted to reverse itsdirection of feed to convey a group of documents from saidotherextension on to said plate or table and from thence on to the firstmentioned extension.

3. In a machine of the character described, a writing plate or tableprovided with extensions arranged along difierent 25 edges of said plateor table, a plurality of Writing members suspended above said plate ortable, a monitor handle for simultaneously operating said writingmembers, means for conveying a group of documents from one of saidextensions on to said plate or table and from said plate or table on tothe other of said extensions, said conveying meansbeing adapted toreverse its direction of feed to convey a group ofdocuments from saidother extension on to said plate or table and from thence on to thefirst mentioned extension, and a stacking board provided with means fordetachably connecting it to the machine adjacent either of saidextensions.

4. In a machine of the character described, a writing plate or table, aplurality of writing members suitably mounted to simultaneously write ona plurality of documents arranged in a group, on said writing plate ortable, extensions arranged alongopposite edges of said writing plate ortable from either of which a group of documents may be fed into positionon said writing plate or table,.conveying means movable in eitherdirection across said writing plate or table and ,said extensions andadapted to move said documents in a group, supports 'connected to saidmachine and adapted to carry stacking boards adjacent the outer edges ofsaidextensions, and a stacking board adapted to be releasablyconnected-to said supports adjacent to either of said exten-,

SlOIlS.

5. In a machine ofthe character described, a document supporting table,a plurality of writing members, means for simultaneously operating said'writing members, means for temporarily binding documents into a group,

and conveying means movable in either of two opposite directions andadapted to en- I take-up means.

7 In amachine of the character described, the combination with aplurality of writing members, of means for controlling the movements ofsaid. writing members, means for temporarily binding documents into agroup, an endless'conveyer adapted to engage said binding means to movesaid documents into writing position, and means for moving said'conveyer' in either direction, said conveyer being provided with slacktake-up means, said slack take-up means including an ad- .justablymounted member, and means jour- -naled on said member andhaving runningengagement with said conveyer.

8. In a machine of the character described, the, combination with awriting table, of an endless belt conveyer forvconveying -documents overthe surface of said table, a plurality of writing members, means forcontrolling the movements of said writing members, a movable support, aslacktake-up pulley journaled on said support in running contact withsaid endless conveyer, and means, for. moving. said endless conveyerbackward or forward to move said documents across said writing table ineither of two dlrections.

9. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of writingmembers, a monitor operatably connected to said writing members forsimultaneously controlling their ,movements, means for conveyingdocuments to said Writing members, said conveying means being providedwith power transmitting elements at points distant from said monitor,and hand-operated means disposed adjacent to said monitor andintermediately of said monitor and one of said power trans- .mittingelements, said hand-operated means being connected to said powertransmitting element.

l0.'In a machine of the character described, a Writing plate or table,a'plurality of writing members suitably mounted to simultaneously Writeon a plurality of documents arranged in a group on said writing plate ortable, extensions arranged along opposite edges of said writing plate ortable from either of which a group of documents may be fed into positionon said writing plate or table,=conveying means movable in .table andsaid extensions and adapted to move said documents in a group, supportsconnected to said machine and adapted to 'carry stacking boards adjacentthe outer edges of said extensions,

and a stacking board adapted to: be releasably connected to 'saidsupports adjacent to either of said extensions, said stacking boardbeing provided with reversible gages against which the documents arestacked in groups.

11. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of Writingmembers, means for simultaneously operating said writing members,temporary binders for holding groups or series of documents to be fedunder said writing members, a conveyer provided with means for engagingsaid binders, movable arms for disengaging said binders-from saidconveyer, and means for periodically operating said arms, said operatingmeans comprising a rock shaft upon which said arms are mounted, and aperiodic cam movement for rocking said shaft.

12. In a machine of thecharacter described, a plurality of writingmembers,

temporary binders for holding groups or series of documents to bewritten upon by said writing members, means for simultaneously movingsaid writing members, a conveyer comprising parallel shafts, sprocketskeyed to said shafts, and chains meshing with said sprockets andprovided with means for engaging said binders, a rock shaft adj acent'toeach of said shafts, arms mounted on said rock shafts for disengagingsaid binders from the conveyer, means for rocking said rock shaft, andmeans for locking said arms in inoperative position.

13. In a machine of the character de-. scribed, a plurality of. writingmembers, temporary binders for holding groups or series of documents to,be written upon by,

said writing members, means for simultaneously moving said writingmembers, a conveyer comprising parallel shafts, sprockets keyed to saidshafts, and chains meshing with said sprockets and provided with meansfor engaging said binders, a rock shaft adjacent to each of said shafts,arms mounted on said rock shafts for disengaging said binders from theconveyer, means for rocklocking ing said rock shaft, and-means for eachof said arms in inoperative position,

said arms being bent to provide a portion which normally rests below andparallel to the path of said conveyer and which projects downwardly inits locked. position.

14. In a machine of the characterdescribed, a lurality of writingmembers, temporar inders forjholdlng groups or series of documentsto bewritten upon by said --'writing members, taneously 'moving sa1d Writingmembers, a conveyer comprising parallel shafts, sprockto said shafts,and

ine-ans for simul-J lever for each rock shaft, and means for connectingsaid cam lever to said rock shaft;

15. In a machine of the character described,- a plurality of Writingmembers, temporary binders for holding groups or series of documents tobewritten upon by said writing members, means for simultaneously movingsaid. Writing members, a conveyer comprising parallel shafts, sprockets.keyed chains meshing with said sprockets and provided with means forengaging said binders, a rock shaft adjacent to each ofsaid shafts, armsmounted on said rock shafts for disengaging said binders from theconveyer, a cam-operated lever for each rock shaft, and means forconnecting said cam lever to said rock shaft, said arms being movableinto inoperative position and adapted in such position to lock said camlever.

16. In amachine of the character described, a plurality of writingmembers, temporarybinders for holding groups or series of documents tobe written upon by said writing members, means for simultaneously movingsaid Writing members, aconveyer comprising parallel shafts, sprocketskeyed to said shafts, and chains meshing with said sprockets andprov'ded with means for ena rock shaft adjacent to said rock shafts fordisengaging said binders from the conveyer, a cam-operated lever foreach rock shaft, and means for connecting said camv lever to said rockshaft, said arms being movable into inoperative position and adapted insuch position to lock said cam lever, each cam lever being provided witha stop for limiting the displacement of said rock shaft.

1.7. In a machine of the character described, or table, of a pluralityof Writing members arranged abovesaid plate or table, means forsimultaneously operating said writing means, means for conveying groupsor series of documents into and out' of position to be written upon bythe respective writing members, and meansfor holding said documents inposition on said writing plate 'or table, said holding means includingmembers yieldably engaging said documents on opposite sides of each ofsaid writing members.

' 18. In a machine of the character described, the combination of awriting plate or table, of a plurality of writing-members arranged abovesaidplate or table, means-for simultaneously operating said writingmeans means for conveyin rou s or sethe combination of a Writing platepairs, the inner ends of each ping with one resting upon the ries ofdocuments into and out of position to I be written upon by therespective writing be written upon by the respective writing members,and means for holding said documents in position on said writing plateor table, said holding means comprising transverse rods disposed abovesaid plate or table, and yieldable bars mounted thereon andextendlnginwardly, each of said bars being constructed and arranged toengage documents at its extremity and'ata point intermediately of therod on which it is mounted and its extremity.

20.In a machine of the character described, thecombination of awriting-plate or table, of a plurality of writing members arranged abovesaid plate or table, means for simultaneously operating said writingmeans, means for conveying groupsior series of documents into and out ofposition to be written upon by the respective Writing members, and barsfor holding said documents in position on. said writing plate or table,said bars being oppositely mounted in pair overlapother.

21, In a machine of the character described, a writing plate or table, aplurality of writing members, a monitor for moving said writing memberssimultaneously, a conveyer for groups or series of documents to bewritten upon, said conveyer being provided with a crank shaft, a slotteddiskv keyed to said crank shaft, and a crank haw ing one end slotted toslide over said crank shaft and carrying means adapted to interlock witheach of the slots in said disk.

22. In a machine of the character de scribed, a plurality of writingmembers,

means for moving said writing members simultaneously, means for feedingseries or groups of documents to be written upon'by said writingmembers, an auxiliary stacking board or table arranged at one edge ofsaid machine, and means releasably connected to said stacking board forgaging the po-' sition of said series or groups of documents, saidgaging means comprlsing a plurality of straps or bars having their outerends deflected upwardly, and ably connected thereto.

23. In a machine .of the character deangular arms adjustscribed,aplurality of 'writing members,

means for moving said writing members simultaneously, means for feedingseries or groups of documents to be written upon by said writingmembers, an auxiliary stacking board or table arranged at one edge ofsaid machine, said stacking board being provided with a plurality ofsockets, bars or rods re'- leasably mounted in said sockets, and arms orgages adjustably connected to the outer ends of said bars or rods.

24. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of writingmembers, means for moving said writing members simultaneously, means forfeeding series or groups of documents to be wrltten upon by said,writing members, an auxiliary stacking board or table arranged at oneedge of said machine, said stacking board forgagingthe position of saidseries or groups of documents, said stacking board or table movablysuspended on the machine and provided with releasable means for holdingit in operative relation thereto. J

FRANK E. 'cRoMPTon.

and means releasably connected to

